Starved Rock State Park

By Gothamist on Sep 21, 2010 9:00PM

As summer winds down and fall starts, enjoy these last few weeks of warm weather at Starved Rock State Park. About 95 miles southwest of Chicago, Starved Rock State Park has canyons and waterfalls, along with thirteen miles of hiking trails—all with stunning views. One of the best places to see the leaves change color in the Midwest, Starved Rock’s waterfalls start to gush in the fall, as the autumn rains start flowing over the rocks. Besides hiking, there’s plenty to visit in the park, with fishing, horseback riding, and boating all available.

And if you need a break, there’s a trolley tour with multiple stops, including a visit out of the park and across the river to the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, where you’ll be able to watch the river traffic through the locks. Consider staying at the Lodge in the park, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places, and which features a dramatic two-sided stone fireplace, or at one of the Lodge’s family cabins, each of which has a comfortable and rustic charm.